Mandala Drum Interview: Danny Carey of Tool

Mandala V3 limited production run pre-orders now accepted at mandaladrum.com
Drummer Danny Carey of Tool and Volto talks about anticipating chord changes and setting up a song's nuances and changes while leading people into a new space, all with the help of his Mandala Drums, in the third of our three-part interview series featuring Danny, Amy Knoles, and Ryeland Allison.
Experience more Danny at (dannycarey.com) and (toolband.com).
Directed and Photographed by James Mann (cameraexperimen...).
All things Mandala Drum can be found at (mandaladrum.com).

[@jdp609]

Simply one of the most intelligent and artful rock musicians out there.

[@rexross6808]

we are truly blessed to be able to witness his mastery of percussion. especially his work in tool.

[@6869jonny]

A legend

[@-Miroslav]

Indeed! I hit 420th like on your comment 😁

[@shotgunsam23]

Dude is so nice and humble too.

[@GreyJedi73]

Not to mention a wannabe basketball player

[@Qliphirot]

"The drums they can get pretty boring as a solo instrument; but if you play the right things and suport music, and play songs rather than beats, it can has infinite possibilities and can take people to other places." CAREY, Daniel Edwin The most creative drummer ever.

[@MemoryLaneCinema]

most creative ever? ehm on what basis?

[@diddodog2266]

MemoryLaneCinema just listen to a tool song

[@diddodog2266]

MemoryLaneCinema or CCT on Tool’s new album

[@MemoryLaneCinema]

@@diddodog2266 I have since the mid 90's kid

[@adahbombdon1512]

MemoryLaneCinema yeah kid! 😂 tough guy over here

[@idoalittletrolling4867]

I love the way everyone in Tool talks, idk why. Maynard always has this humorous, yet serious tone. Adam has a nice calming voice. Danny just has one of those voices you love to respond to. And Justin is British, so, instant win.

[@Ch0obyHD]

He's from Australia not british

[@frightenedsoul]

SpaceCowboy98 yeah, but where did those white settlers in Australia come from? Check mate!! (I’m kidding by the way)

[@Ch0obyHD]

@@frightenedsoul hahahahahahha

[@frightenedsoul]

SpaceCowboy98 I did look it up and he was born and raised on London though. Just an FYI

[@Ch0obyHD]

@@frightenedsoul for real? Damn didn't know that. Thx man.

[@Ms.Behaving]

That smile at 1:05 is utterly childlike from a beast of a man. Melts my heart

[@kai326]

I always said his smile looks like a little boy who won first prize at a science fair

[@keikofreespirit6374]

❤

[@newspaperlightbulb]

Just by the way Danny explains drumming in such a deep and technical way, you already know he’s one of the best.

[@cardinaldriver]

In the top 25 best rock drummers to ever exist. That's a HUGE achievement.

[@mickjagger149]

Such a humble genius. Nothing but respect for Danny!

[@abefroman764]

I love how Danny interprets time. He creates rhythms that no one else can think of. His fills are so creative, and I feel like im inside of his brain when I listen to him.

[@darthdurkelthewise320]

When I listen to a TOOL album I’m listening to Carey as much if not more than than anything or anyone else. This is the only modern band that I do this with. His contributions are that interesting and good.

[@Kinger172]

I could literally watch him play all day!

[@alpur214]

I feel like Danny could be a decent motivational speaker. He is incredibly intelligent in what he is talking about, and he's not too boring to listen to.

[@GrantZPrice]

3:09 Infinite possibilities. As below, so above and beyond, I imagine drawn outside the lines of reason. Push the envelope. Watch it bend.

[@diluvian7974]

+Grant Z Price i see what you did there

[@ThereminElectro]

2 years faster than me

[@hockyjocky4]

Grant Z Price swing on the spiral

[@timothyreff6750]

Grant Z Price a masterpiece! Spiral out 🤘

[@BH02377]

Ugh. Another new age hippie!

[@65Drums]

Really cool to hear him talking in-depth about that set.

[@LinuxMFKR]

I love his incorporation of sacred geometry into the drums

[@manakin5]

And that right there is what I love so much about Danny Carey. He's about the music. His playing his amazing, inspired, and intricate, but everything he does is about supporting the song, not just self-indulgence or trying to impress others. He's a sonic explorer. And an adorable goofball too!

[@susiejo143]

I could listen to him all day

[@DavyRo]

Very true what he's saying he's totally hit the nail on the head the way describes playing the song not the beat it makes a massive difference. We all know how unique Tools variety is in music from their songs. The musicianship of the members is on another level & DC puts it across about the drumming aspect perfectly here.

[@cloudbloom]

I saw Tool a few years ago and partway through the set Danny had this crazy electronic and drumming song/solo that was all done by him while the other members were off stage. It was so expressive and weird and technical, I was pretty amazed at what he was doing

[@Username-ng8jy]

Chocolate chip trip??

[@Illumignostic]

Ive always said that what I like about Danny was that he played songs and not just beats. Crazy to hear him say that

[@BiRDiEHere]

"I wanna be a basketball player." *Danny Carey, Height: 6'5"*

[@petermcglone7172]

I have loved tool since 1992 or 3. Simply the best at what they do and nobody even comes close to the artistic expression of tool. I am a drummer and a bass player up in Canada so I know how hard it is to find something as cool as Tool.

[@mariorossipuzza]

"danny carey, drummer of tool, drummer of volto, wannabe basketball player" hahahahahahahha

[@hc90256]

he might want to be a basketball player ;)

[@cardinaldriver]

Explains the b-ball jerseys then. Its pretty cool how he wears the NBA team specifically to the city he is performing in. And he seems so humble.

[@MrDash03]

He was offered a basketball scholarship for a college but he wanted to study music instead.

[@droneready8278]

Put the skills he's got he can want to be anything 💯

[@DonnieFreymoyer]

Also played with Green Jello/Jelly

[@martijnisnothere]

Met him after a TOOL gig when I was 16 years old. As I shook his massive hand (which disappeared into mine) all I said was 'Hey man you're the best.' He said 'Thanks man'. Super humble and nicest guy.

[@ricky19751904]

I practice with his signature drumsticks , they're heavier and bigger but surprisingly balanced ,but when I play with my drumsticks ,it's like I'm not holding anything .

[@aaronbiglow6573]

One of the greatest.

[@Asianbeard]

I wish more drummers had his mindset and compositional ideas

[@xZOOMORPHICx]

I only have two drums, bayan and dayan. I play along with Danny while listening to Tool almost everyday, and have been practicing my bol. He has inspired me since 1994. 💚

[@andrewweiss1301]

We are so lucky to be around to experience DC

[@At0m05]

Danny Carey is my spirit animal

[@robbwilshaw8054]

And on top of his great talent and ideas.....he's super humble makes him even that much cooler \_/

[@VOD713]

Gay

[@mariinito8398]

@@VOD713 we're all gay for Danny

[@Gideonite]

Every time Danny blinks his eyes a new drummer is born.

[@PramodSetlur]

"With a click of a button, I can have a whole new setting for each song". I mean think about the initial effort that goes into setting these sounds up on each of the pad for each song.

[@ryanj7517]

He has always been a student of the world of percussion. His technique and willingness to stay humble makes him the greatest IMO. He makes things look effortless that absolutely aren’t. Never see any Ego with DC.

[@311DaveR]

The most wicked beats to such awesome songs. Pure joy to listen to. Thanks.

[@doylustheboy]

I saw Tool live having only really listened to Lateralus...this guy was unbelievable....he could of played by himself & I would of wanted an encore.......

[@jrgdrumsandwatches]

One reason why I love Danny Carey is that he cares so much on the sound of the drums in general. If you have seen his custom made Sonor Kit from the 10'000 days tour, you know what I mean. Every tom, every cymbal is chosen for a reason. His 8" tom is much thicker than his 16" floor tom for example. And it goes on to what he says at the end. He plays songsrather than just beat. Brilliant!

[@cardinaldriver]

Yep, I was there and I 100% agree. You're trying to follow what he is doing and its just impossible especially with his non-traditional , hybrid kit setup. He electrifies.

[@Snatchystashy]

Danny takes my ears and brain to a new dimension when I listen to him play. The drums on top of the synth loops and Mandala pads are a trio of beauty.

[@xXToMMyXx002]

Danny uses the prototype mandala pads that he helped design with Vince DeFranco, he uses the program battery and records some of his own sounds to put in the program, I'm sure you can get tabla sounds in both battery and virtual brain though.

[@jamesschuh8568]

I love Danny's style of playing 😌 so rhythmic beats and sounds. The art of his style play is really amazing🙌👏👏👏I enjoy watching him execute his drums 🥁. Well done Bro 🤘😎🤘

[@jbuell311]

I love how he Isnt afraid to explore new territories and go where no others have. Carey is a modern day pioneer, and of course an enigmatic genius.

[@charleskeillor2274]

He's gone places no one has been with DMT as well lol

[@triple6758]

Simply The Best.

[@manifestyourlife6]

Top 30 drummer of all-time.

[@udomatthiasdrums5322]

still love it!!

[@Ninololcss]

0:25 thats why he is the god of all drummers, period

[@offdutyjie]

Fucken Danny Carey! I play the guitar lol.. But this guy is hands down one of my favorite artists out there to date....

[@Tiziano182]

i play drums and i have a guitar! :D hurray

[@ddiotte]

can't wait to get myself two of them!!!

[@chfilms7651]

2:38 he came mighty close to hitting that Tokyo Drift...

[@vincefisher9907]

One of the most musical drummers out there.

[@morganhendry]

From my understanding Danny's pads were the original prototypes (pre-v1.0). I held one of the shells, and they are really beefy: full metal shell and I believe an XLR cable to an external brain unit. I could be wrong though as there are military spec USB connectors that screw together for a hard lock. I've been contemplating making some mods to my pads to try and get some of those benefits at a lower cost.

[@jonao8808]

Some of the best advice ever given to a drummer

[@dan.j.boydzkreationz]

There is not a better rock drummer than Danby Edwin Carey. 10th May, 1964. His grandmother bought him a kit when he was kid and he's been studying jazz for three decades

[@theone4629]

One of the greatest drummers in the world

[@Stu411]

I could just listen to him improvising all day on these mandalas, the Tool album shall be a journey especially if he uses these.

[@i9INE]

if i could listen to one thing for the rest of my life, no question it would be his drumming.

[@cardinaldriver]

The way he implements these e-drums and gets different tones out of them always had me befuddled. As a huge Peart fan all my life, no one drummer has stoked the creative fire within me since like Carey. I would go as far as saying he is most likely the most innovative and marketable drummer that has ever donned the skins...or pads for that matter. How many of you drummers out there ever try for weeks to get one of his hooks from your head to your hands and feet? He possesses unbelievable hand/foot independence. I can play a full Rush tune. I wouldn't attempt anything by Tool in a live setting. Just a creative genius with a completely alien approach to drumming. He found the perfect partner in Mandala. How many zones can you get out of one pad anyway? And it looks like they have programmable zone positioning at that. In the live performance of Luna he looks as if he has a pad divided into "pie" sections if you will, to achieve different tones. Am I correct in my assumption?

[@charleskeillor2274]

Yessir unfortunately it is impossible to find these anymore.

[@morganhendry]

I've been using Ableton Live myself, mainly because I double on keyboards for my band Beware of Safety (also backing tracks/sequences). I've heard great things about Battery though.

[@christoole6820]

Best drummer I have ever herd

[@AkRev]

Indeed, leading people into the new space...

[@harrison1821]

"play songs, rather than beats." Love this guy!

[@charlesallin]

Most creative drummer ever. Love Him....

[@SharpChronofighter]

Fine musician and fine gear!

[@odsonic]

I learned so much in 3 minutes of what I know..knew..and need to experience

[@robertsalvati518]

Genius!!

[@RayanRawdrum]

definitely wanting to get one of these love the hybrid drum kit setting :) Danny is the man

[@MrGunwitch]

Musical genius. I love this man.

[@cardinaldriver]

Well we are all wannabe TooL drummers sir! Your originality and unique approach will never let that happen.

[@HermeticAscetic22]

00:58 humblest self-intro ever. :D

[@markmarsh27]

The Mantle was passed to Danny Carey when Neil Peart passed away and Bill Bruford retired -- There is no greater Drummer in the World today.

[@jayyoung3572]

Watching this video just made me realize Danny Carey hasn't unleashed not even 5% of his full capabilities because what I am hearing now.. is quite different. I hope this new album sheds light on some of the new sounds I'm hearing on his drums.

[@GlitchComputer]

That would be neat. I'd love to see that adaptation in a next generation pad. Seems like it would be a much sturdier solution. He's definitely been using Battery as a brian weather in controls prerecorded samples or midi-cv to analog machines. Do you use battery on your pads?

[@DennisMenacing]

You cannot interview a more outstanding percussionist than you have here. KUDOS!

[@bapashbacarde]

If you ever get to see TOOL live do it. I witnessed his drum solo a few short months after I saw Rush. No disrespect but his drum solo towered over Neil’s solo piece. (I do get they are 20 years apart in age and it was towards the end of Rush’s touring life). Still is very creative and uses some wicked technology in his performances.

[@MikkoMarkusKaariainen9023]

That guy, is humble as the Best drummer on universe should!! ')

[@MostlyCloudy]

I love him, and I love that shirt!

[@damienducote1851]

He definitely participates in the musical experience

[@ffolinzeni1060]

Best. Drummer. Ever. Awesome human too.

[@phildigiovanni9687]

Thank you so much 💓

[@LikeWater425]

Amazing he is.

[@Ol_brown_eyes]

I can see his Niel Peart appreciation in this video...Respect!

[@ThePathOfEudaimonia]

What a bloody cool (Tool) guy.

[@annelieheise4162]

Marvellous 🌹

[@alonsomendiola3212]

Danny carey:a great drummer and a beautifull smile

[@GlitchComputer]

@Snarplaya I've been told he uses usb cables on his pads..but I've seen pictures of him on tour and the cables plugged in look very thick and at a angle... so i dunno. I wish we had both midi over usb and a 1/4" input on the pads.

[@khaledismaeel9710]

This aged like fine wine

[@GlitchComputer]

I'll be honest I love the feel of the previous mandala pads then the new versions 2.9 pads. Something similar to the material on Danny prototypes seems like a better feel to play. I imagine its just rubber too.

[@wassimhamed9458]

God of drums

[@djtransitions1]

BEST DRUMMER WITH THE BEST T-SHIRT EVER

[@jeffbeaudoin4544]

Greatest drummer of all time IMO

[@cvj2311]

Danny, awesome!

[@Southboundpachyderm]

I've never been a massive tool fan, but as musicians I've always respected the living hell out of them. Each member is so fucking talented. I love Danny Carry's philosophy about the drums being an actual pitched instrument. I've always felt the same way, and hated the idea of just playing 4/4 money beat over and over again. My drums are an instrument. Dynamics, tone, harmony and melody all apply to the kit just as much as any other instrument. Ironically it was learning piano that taught me to appreciate the drums even more.

[@LadyPashta]

Danny is the best drummer in the world.

[@danksmoke420]

Mr. Danny Carey! 🐐 That man could probably make a drum set made out of coffee cans sound good. He's so much more than just a drummer.

[@bobipoirier]

Danny should actually make a mandala solo. Like a huge solo with tons of sets

[@snarplaya]

That was awesome! I wish it was about an hour longer! lol! I was wondering about how he uses all 7 Mandala pads at once. Are they chained together through MIDI cables or is there a USB hub he's having to use? I know the Macbook he's using only has 2 USB ports. Thanks for the Interview!

[@chrisprado4597]

I love how Danny is like the best of the best, yet he is so humble and doesn't brag about his talent like others **Cough** Travis Barker **cough** Mike Porntoy Chad Szeliga **cough**

[@cardinaldriver]

@@BloodlineMedia Portnoy is a, ahem...tool! "You can play YYZ, but can you play La Villa Strangiato?" " After a while I just went on to bigger, better things." Actual quotes from Rush: All the World's a Stage and the exact moment I lost all respect for him. I mean cool...you can puke double stroke rolls and all over your kit, like a thousand other professional drummers. Whoopdie doo! Get over yourself and never disrespect the King again dousche!

[@cardinaldriver]

@@BloodlineMedia lmao!!!! Absolutely

[@keithferris9574]

I've never heard Travis Barker say anything egotistical.

[@Username-ng8jy]

@@keithferris9574 Travis is very basic. Even if he said anything pompous I wouldn’t even give a shit lol

[@vincent2053]

What a dumb comment

[@Spratino]

coolest guy you will ever meet

[@mamanatare1]

THE NEW ALBUM PLEASSEEE!!!!!!

[@dicer250]

great t-shirt!

[@willybeamin1605]

That shirt is awesome! anyone know where i can find it?

[@noneofyourbusiness3315]

this guy is a BADASS! un chingon!

[@yeetfeet1878]

3:00 exactly

[@shaunbryan3421]

So this video 7 years old now anybody else finding this around now correct me if I'm wrong but that beginning part what is in pneuma